Local Goa News

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Five detained for poaching 66 frogs

MARGAO: In a raid on Wednesday night, officials of South Goa district's deputy conservator of forests department's mobile squad detained five persons for poaching 66 frogs . The amphibians were later released back into their habitat.
The squad led by range forest officers Eusebio Braganza and Siddesh Gaude, accompanied by Julio Quadros of Animal Rescue Squad and other officials first nabbed Fidelis Rodrigues and his son Shirwin Rodrigues of Sao Jose de Areal for catching a dozen frogs at 10pm. "The duo were released after being fined 25,000," Braganza told TOI .
"Around midnight, the mobile squad nabbed two residents of Chandrawddo-Fatorda — Aliston Pereira, 21, and Neves Barbosa, 32, — with 50 frogs in their possession. Glen Fernandes of Avdem-Quepem was also caught with four frogs. They were released on personal surety after recovering a fine of 10,000 each. The forest department had conducted an annual awareness campaign a week ago highlighting the need to preserve frogs and will now continue daily monsoon patrolling to curb poaching of frogs, particularly as this is their mating season," Braganza said.